The Dutch network operator KPN has chosen Siemens as the strategic IP partner for its fixed network and mobile activities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The agreement entails Siemens Communications setting up a completely new IP environment for the whole of KPN, and will run for five years.

With this agreement, KPN and Siemens are laying the foundation for a new generation of communication services. These run on the basis of the Internet Protocol (IP), thus allowing the once separate worlds of ‘telephone’, ‘internet’ and ‘data traffic’ to converge. The new services include Voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing and instant messaging, which in time should run both over the fixed and the mobile network. Siemens will supply network elements and application platforms (IMS, IP Multimedia Subsystem) mostly based on its IP convergence architecture Surpass.

"In the years ahead KPN and its customers will be entering an IP world in which communication is set to change fundamentally", said KPN managing board member Eelco Blok. "Siemens’ strength in fixed and mobile networks was obviously extremely important to us. After all, the added value for our customers rests primarily in what is known as converged service provision, allowing them to use the same services via their mobile phone, fixed line or PC."

"Through the use of IP convergence solution Surpass, KPN will in future be able to offer innovative and cost-effective services across different networks", according to Anton Schaaf, Member of the Group Board of Siemens Communications. "This will further improve the competitive situation of our key customer. For us, this order confirms that we are on the right path in developing IP solutions for fixed and mobile networks."

KPN is already a major supplier of IP-based services to businesses in the Netherlands and abroad, such as private telephone exchanges (IP-PBX) and closed data networks between business premises at different locations (IP-VPN). As of next year, the new IP solution from Siemens will enable KPN to introduce a new generation of services for both business and private customers.